Galaxy A55 Vs iPhone 17

Galaxy A55
Galaxy A55
Starting at

Refurbished price:£192.21

Versus £479.00 new

See options
iPhone 17
iPhone 17
Starting at

Refurbished price:£689.00

Versus £799.00 new

See options

Ratings

The Samsung Galaxy A55 (2024) and the iPhone 17 (2025) represent distinct offerings within the smartphone market, catering to different user ecosystems and priorities. While the Galaxy A55 operates on Android with Samsung's One UI, the iPhone 17 runs on Apple's iOS platform. A primary distinction lies in their market positioning: the Galaxy A55 is a robust mid-range device, whereas the iPhone 17 is positioned as a flagship model, leading to differences in performance capabilities and advanced features.

Scores

Durability

When considering the practical lifespan of these devices, several factors come into play, including their release timelines and software support policies.

  • Release Timeline: The Samsung Galaxy A55 was released in March 2024, making it a year and a half older than the iPhone 17, which launched in September 2025. This difference in release date inherently impacts the remaining period of official software support.
  • Software Longevity: The Galaxy A55 is promised four major Android OS upgrades and five years of security updates from its release. This means it is expected to receive updates up to Android 18 and security patches until March 2029. In contrast, Apple typically provides iOS updates for five to six years for its devices, suggesting the iPhone 17 will receive software support for a longer duration, extending its functional lifespan.
  • Repairability and Durability: Both devices feature robust builds. The Galaxy A55 incorporates a metal frame and Corning Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both the front and back, along with an IP67 rating for dust and water resistance. The iPhone 17 is expected to feature Ceramic Shield 2 for enhanced scratch resistance and may utilize a dual-material design, potentially including a titanium alloy frame, contributing to its overall durability.

Year of Release

2024

2025

Compatible with latest Update

Yes

Yes

OS

Android

iOS

Foldable

No

No

Performance

The performance capabilities of the Galaxy A55 and the iPhone 17 reflect their respective market segments, with the iPhone 17 offering a more advanced processing experience.

  • Processing Power: The Galaxy A55 is equipped with an octa-core processor, which handles everyday tasks and moderate gaming smoothly. It is designed for efficient multitasking and streaming. The iPhone 17, on the other hand, features a newer generation processor, which is anticipated to deliver significantly faster app performance, smoother multitasking, and improved energy efficiency. This allows for more demanding applications, advanced gaming, and complex video editing without noticeable lag.
  • System Responsiveness: Users of the Galaxy A55 can expect a responsive experience for typical smartphone usage, with adequate power for most applications. The iPhone 17 is expected to offer a higher level of system responsiveness, particularly noticeable in graphically intensive applications and when running advanced artificial intelligence features, due to its more powerful architecture and dedicated neural processing capabilities.
  • Memory and Storage: The Galaxy A55 is available with 8GB or 12GB of RAM and 128GB or 256GB of internal storage, with the option to expand storage via a microSD card. The iPhone 17 is expected to come with 8GB of RAM, with storage options likely including 128GB, 256GB, and 512GB, though without expandable storage.

Memory (GB)

8 GB

8 GB

Screen quality

Both devices offer vibrant displays, but the iPhone 17 is expected to introduce advancements in display technology and features.

  • Display Technology and Clarity: The Galaxy A55 features a 6.6-inch Super AMOLED display with a Full HD+ resolution, providing vivid colors and deep blacks. The iPhone 17 is expected to feature an OLED display, likely with a slightly larger 6.3-inch screen, offering comparable clarity and color reproduction, but potentially with finer detail and improved contrast.
  • Brightness and Refresh Rate: The Galaxy A55's display offers a 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and a peak brightness of 1000 nits in High Brightness Mode, enhancing visibility in bright conditions. The iPhone 17 is anticipated to include a 120Hz ProMotion refresh rate across all models, providing adaptive smoothness, and is rumored to achieve a peak brightness of 3000 nits, which would offer exceptional outdoor visibility.
  • Viewing Experience: The larger screen of the Galaxy A55 provides an expansive viewing area for media consumption and productivity. The iPhone 17's expected display enhancements, including higher brightness and ProMotion technology, aim to deliver a more immersive and fluid visual experience, particularly for dynamic content and gaming.

Resolution

1080 x 2340

2622x1206

Screen type

Super AMOLED

Super Retina XDR

Audiovisual

The camera systems on both smartphones are designed to capture quality images and videos, with the iPhone 17 expected to offer more advanced computational photography and sensor capabilities.

  • Rear Camera System: The Galaxy A55 features a versatile triple-camera setup, including a 50MP main sensor with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 12MP ultrawide lens, and a 5MP macro camera. It performs well in daylight, producing detailed photos with good color vibrancy, and offers decent low-light performance with Night Mode. The iPhone 17 is expected to feature a dual-lens rear camera system, with a 48MP main sensor, and rumors suggest an upgraded 48MP ultrawide camera, promising crisper ultrawide shots and improved low-light and Portrait Mode performance.
  • Front Camera and Video Quality: For selfies and video calls, the Galaxy A55 is equipped with a 32MP front camera, capable of recording 4K video at 30 frames per second. The iPhone 17 is anticipated to feature a 24MP front camera, which is expected to deliver clearer selfies and improved video call quality. Both devices support 4K video recording at 30fps from their main cameras, with the iPhone 17 potentially offering features like dual video recording (simultaneously using front and rear cameras).
  • Overall Photography Experience: The Galaxy A55 provides a solid photography experience for everyday users, with a range of modes for different scenarios. The iPhone 17 is expected to leverage its advanced processor for more sophisticated computational photography, leading to potentially superior image processing, dynamic range, and detail, especially in challenging lighting conditions.

Main camera

50 megapixels

48 megapixels

Front camera

32 megapixels

18 megapixels

Miscellaneous

Beyond core features, several practical elements differentiate the user experience of the Galaxy A55 and the iPhone 17.

  • Connectivity and Ports: The Galaxy A55 supports 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and Bluetooth 5.3, and features a USB-C 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. The iPhone 17 is also expected to support 5G and the latest Wi-Fi standards, potentially Wi-Fi 7 for Pro models, and will feature a USB-C port, though likely with USB 2.0 transfer speeds for the standard model.
  • Build Materials and Handling: The Galaxy A55 boasts a metal frame and Gorilla Glass Victus+ on both sides, contributing to a premium feel and durability, with dimensions of 161.1 x 77.4 x 8.2 mm and a weight of 213g. The iPhone 17 is expected to feature a more advanced Ceramic Shield 2 front for increased scratch resistance and may incorporate a dual-material design, potentially with a titanium alloy frame, aiming for a balance of durability and a refined aesthetic.
  • Security and User Interface: The Galaxy A55 includes an in-display fingerprint scanner for secure unlocking. The iPhone 17 relies on Face ID for biometric authentication and is expected to feature a customizable Action button, offering quick access to various functions. Both devices offer distinct user interfaces, with Samsung's One UI providing extensive customization on Android, and iOS on the iPhone 17 offering a streamlined and integrated ecosystem experience.

Weight

213 g

177 g

Screen size (in)

6.6

6.3

Mobile network

5G

5G

SIM card

Dual Physical SIM

Physical SIM + eSIM

Carrier compatibility

Unlocked

Unlocked

Connector

USB-C

USB-C

The Samsung Galaxy A55 and the iPhone 17 cater to different user needs and preferences, reflecting their positions in the smartphone market. The Galaxy A55 is often praised by users for its vibrant Super AMOLED display, reliable battery life for moderate use, and a capable camera system that performs well for everyday photography. Users appreciate its metal and glass build, which provides a more premium feel than many other mid-range devices. Some common criticisms or concerns for the Galaxy A55 include its battery performance in intensive drain tests compared to flagships, and a shorter software support period than some competitors.

The iPhone 17, as an anticipated flagship, is expected to receive praise for its advanced processor, delivering exceptional performance for demanding applications and gaming. Users will likely value its expected ProMotion OLED display with high brightness, offering a fluid and visually rich experience. Its camera system is expected to provide superior computational photography and video capabilities, and its extended software support ensures a longer period of updates. Potential criticisms might revolve around its expected battery life, which, while improved, may not always match the endurance of some larger Android counterparts in specific heavy usage scenarios.

Users prioritizing a balanced smartphone experience with a strong display, good camera, and expandable storage within the Android ecosystem may find the Galaxy A55 well-suited to their needs. It offers a robust build and solid performance for daily tasks. Conversely, users who prioritize cutting-edge performance, a highly integrated ecosystem, advanced camera features, and longer software longevity will likely lean towards the iPhone 17. For those considering either device, exploring quality-assured refurbished options can provide an eco-friendly alternative to access these technologies.

See all articles

Our recent comparisons